Friends, family remember 3 women killed crossing street

Early Monday morning, a handwritten sign of sorrow had been added to the sidewalk memorial for three women killed Saturday night, struck by a car driven by a driver later arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – The baby shower decorations still hung at Evelyn Morales' apartment Monday as she talked about the last time she saw her boyfriend's mother, one of three women struck and killed Saturday night in a crash that police believe involved a drunk driver.

Anaheim resident Carmen Mendoza, 56, along with her daughter Sheyla Mendoza, 21, and niece Stephanie Henriquez, 21, were walking to their car about 11 p.m. to head home after Morales' baby shower when they were struck and killed by a red Honda Civic, police said.

"They were good people, very sweet," Morales said.

Buena Park resident Anthony Lewis Sanchez, 40, whose occupation is listed as a truck driver, is under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter after the women were hit in the 100 block of South Western Avenue, near Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn said.

Dunn said that upon impact, two of the women were thrown through the Honda's windshield. The women were not in a marked crosswalk, he said.

Morales' boyfriend received a call about the fatal crash that night, and Morales went to see the aftermath. She recalls seeing a body covered in a white sheet.

The elder Mendoza and Henriquez died at the hospital, while Sheyla Mendoza died at the scene, Orange County coroner's officials said.

"We're trying to work with it," Morales added. "It's tough, especially with three losses."

Monday morning, several neighbors and friends stopped by the memorial site adorned with rows of candles, flowers, photos of Sheyla Mendoza with friends and a rosary. A green poster read: "REST IN PEACE MY SHEYLA."

Karla Martinez, 21, of Anaheim described Sheyla Mendoza as a "very friendly person" who played basketball at Western High School in Anaheim and attended Cypress College.

Related Links

Early Monday morning, a handwritten sign of sorrow had been added to the sidewalk memorial for three women killed Saturday night, struck by a car driven by a driver later arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Monday morning, personal photos had been added to the sidewalk memorial for Anaheim residents Carmen Mendoza, 56, her daughter Sheyla Mendoza, 21, and 21-year-old Stephanie Henriquez (niece and cousin to the pair, respectively), who were fatally struck crossing Western Avenue on Saturday night. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Monday morning, personal photos had been added to the sidewalk memorial for Anaheim residents Carmen Mendoza, 56, her daughter Sheyla Mendoza, 21, and 21-year-old Stephanie Henriquez (niece and cousin to the pair, respectively), who were fatally struck crossing Western Avenue on Saturday night. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Monday morning, personal photos had been added to the sidewalk memorial for Anaheim residents Carmen Mendoza, 56, her daughter Sheyla Mendoza, 21, and 21-year-old Stephanie Henriquez (niece and cousin to the pair, respectively), who were fatally injured when they were struck crossing Western Avenue on Saturday night. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Three female pedestrians were struck and killed by a vehicle in the 100 block of South Western Avenue near Lincoln Avenue around 11 Saturday night in Anaheim. One woman was pronounced dead on the scene and the other two women were pronounced dead at UCI Medical Center in Orange. The male driver and the female passenger of the Honda Civic were taken to a hospital. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
A female passenger of a vehicle that fatally struck three female pedestrians in the 100 block of South Western Avenue near Lincoln Avenue around 11 Saturday night in Anaheim is taken to a hospital. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
Three female pedestrians were fatally injured when they were struck by a vehicle in the 100 block of South Western Avenue near Lincoln Avenue around 11 Saturday night in Anaheim. One of the women died on scene and the other two women died at UCI Medical Center in Orange. The male driver and the female passenger of the Honda Civic were taken to a hospital. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.